SW Radio Africa (London)
Alex Bell
22 October 2009
South Africa's main political opposition, the Democratic Alliance (DA), on Thursday said Robert Mugabe cannot be part of Zimbabwe's road to democracy, saying the dictator must be offered an 'exit strategy' for the country to ever recover.
The party presented its 'Roadmap to Democracy in Zimbabwe' in the South African parliament on Thursday morning, as a response to the MDC's decision to disengage from ZANU PF in the unity government. DA Parliamentary Leader Athol Trollip told SW Radio Africa that the 'neutral and objective' document is the best basis for a new course of action for Zimbabwe's future, saying "it will allow for a clear path towards the establishment of democracy."
The roadmap, Trollip explained, is very simple with only four primary objectives that need to be achieved. These are: an agreement to hold fresh elections, the formation of an interim government, the formation of a new, people driven constitution, and ultimately free, fair, democratic elections. Trollip explained that while these steps are obvious, "it is the way in which they are implemented that will determine whether or not Zimbabwe succeeds."
Trollip continued that there are two fundamental issues that need to be addressed if the roadmap is to succeed, with the first being that Robert Mugabe cannot be part of the process.
"The position he currently holds is illegitimate and, as a result, his interests and the interests of those close to him have compromised the current arrangement," Trollip said. "One cannot build a democracy on a series of first principles that are fundamentally tainted."
The DA parliamentary leader said an effective exit strategy must be established so that Mugabe willingly steps down from power. But he argued this will only happen with a 'united front' behind the proposal. He explained that the second fundamental issue is that international, and in particular regional leaders, must pledge to oversee the roadmap's success.
"The Southern African Development Community (SADC), the South African government and the United Nations must show willingness to use force if Zimbabwe's political parties stray from this roadmap," Trollip said.
Trollip acknowledged that here-in lies the biggest challenge for the roadmap's success, and he criticised SADC and the ANC led government in South Africa for not applying pressure on Mugabe and ZANU PF to adhere to the Global Political Agreement. Trollip argued that South Africa missed a critical window of opportunity to be tough with Mugabe while Zuma was still SADC chair, but he expressed anger that Zuma has now adopted the notorious policy of 'quiet diplomacy' to Zimbabwe.
"Before he was elected as the country's president, Zuma was making all the right noises about Zimbabwe," Trollip explained. "But those noises have now become a whimper, just mist on the water."
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Julman, ohhhh…please the DA saying something about Zimbabwe is not significant at all. This All white political opposition party, whose interest is to maintain the “white spoil system”, is not trusted by more than 90% of the inhabitants of SADC. Which European is trusted in SADC or Africa? Tony Blair, a former PM failed to convince anybody in SADC or AU about Zimbabwe, what more is a former apartheid bred white person have any more power to convince President Zuma or anybody for that matter. Zille has absolutely no credibility in SADC or AU. Her recent comments have been rubbish, after Rubbish!!
The UN and the international community relay on AU on African matters. It is no longer any idiot whose white, who think they have a comment on Zimbabwe. By now I thought that was clear to you!!! Maybe I’m wrong. Please, next time find somebody else who criticizes Mugabe, but is non-white…That is the only way to make an impact. Otherwise, I also agree with your comments!!!
Phiri,is the millions of black Zimbabweans in the diaspora enough for you.Or then maybe the majority that voted to kick the old pig out!Get your head out of your a.se , get off your knuckles and walk around like the rest of us Phiri.Mugabe is the problem and your colour intolerence only serves to disqualify you from making any balanced comments to effect a proper change in Zimbabwe.
Phiri:
I understand that DA is not necessarily representative of SA's population or even that of Africa as a whole. ANC does still have a stranglehold on SA's electoral politics. But DA is a pluralistic opposition, that welcomes all who disagree with ANC, they are not ALL Afrikaaners - like their leader, she is not Afrikaaner, is she?
My point was, perhaps DA, as an opposition party in SA can say things that ANC cannot due to it's historical relationship with ZANU-Poof/Mugabe. The fact that a party in SA's Parliament is calling for such things is not something to just brush aside - DA is NOT the old Apartheid government of SA and they DO have a constituency in SA that the ANC need to account for.
It's not even a "black" versus "white" issue anymore. Would "black" Zimbabweans benefit if ZANU-Poof was deconstructed and Comrade Bob left the country - yes!
I get tired of the constant "black" versus "white" argument here when it comes to Zimbabwe. Either there is freedom, or there is not, either there equality before the law or there is not, it doesn't matter if one is "black" or if they are "white".
I post here for freedom, equality, and the rule of law for Zimbabwe - ALL Zimbabweans, "black" or "white"! Those three conditions being met, I have no doubt that Zimbabwe would be able to feed itself, to support schools and hospitals that are the envy of Africa and emerge as a beacon to the rest of Africa.
But as long as ZANU-Poof/Mugabe retain their death-grip on power, none of those things will happen - for whatever reason.
When Zimbabwe is truly "Totally Empowered", when the people are truly free, when the rule of law applies equally to all, then I will have no reason to continue to post here.
Until then.........
"Total Empowerment!"
Mugabe has never been for demoncratic govt. He is atotal dictator, always has been. Anyone who thinks otherwise are fools. I was run off in 1989, just a white cattle farmer. The Vet took over the land. It was socialism at its worst. Watched the country go down the toilet, which we had and they worked. Even today, on my flag pole, I hoist the Rhodesian Flag in remberence to a great country lost to "patriots" who had no clue about governace. Robert Mugabe should pass on as a dumb old man who ruined a country.
Texasbob, you are a lost cause and you can fly your Rhodesian flag at your house in Texas, USA and nobody would care what that means....Rhodesia was fully defeated and it does not exists .....It only exists in closed doors with people whose minds are also closed!!!!
I'm glad we kicked your ass and I know we defeated you and the white spoil system that you support. mann you must be crying for Rhodesia everyday. Rhodesia is in your mind and not in Zimbabwe.
Mr Texas Bob, believe you me, when Mr Mugabe dies,and if he has not truely repented for his evil ways, he will be crying as he finds himself by his own evil deeds will walk into the pits of hell. the only time when Zimbabwe is demorcratic is when everyone can vote in a free, fair and transparent way. As long as the Devil's advocate is in his dungeon, Zimbabwe is a prison state.
Phiri I have a suggestion for you. Go and stand in any public place and shout out, "President mugabe, I am an MDC supporter (or any other another party) and I feel it is not fair that you should take to yourself so many farms when I do not. I would like one of your farms." I would be very surprised if your "Democratic" leader that you protect does not boom, convert you into fertilizer.
Curiously, SA's opposition finds the will to say the things the ANC cannot!
As a liberation-era party, perhaps the ANC feels too "bound" to ZANU-Poof to be able to read them the riot act, the DA has no such inhibitions........
Perhaps the DA's stand now gives Zuma the political cover he needs to abandon a fellow liberation-era party in a neighboring country when it's promise has failed the peolple.
Zuma will not move on Zimbabwe until he feels he has his political flank covered at home. It will be interesting now if he uses this move by the DA and sympathetic groups within ANC to feel more comfortable putting pressure on Mugabe..............
As soon as Zuma moves against Mugabe, Mugabe will know it is time to skedaddle to his Palace in Malaysia - the end of Zuma's support for Mugabe will be like the end of Carter's support for the Shah of Iran............
"Total Empowerment!"